40 



resident in Gozo. Also the House and Sand Martins, 

 wifch the Common and White-bellied Swifts. The 

 Night-jar, Gaprimulgus Europoe-us is shot and snared 

 in large numbers for the table, but the Rufous- 

 necked Goat Sucker, Gaprimulgus Ruficoilis is rare. 



The Spotted, Pied, and White-necked Fly-catch- 

 ers arrive and depart in spring and autumn, and we 

 see the Grey, Great Grey, and Lesser Grey Shrikes; 

 the Woodchat Shrike known as Bu-Ghiddiem or 

 the "Father of Biters" being much more common. 

 The Red-backed Shrike is not unknown. 



The Skylark and its congeners, the Crested, 

 Wood, Short-toed, Cream-coloured, and Calandra 

 Larks are more or less numerous, whilst of the 

 Pipits we have the Richard's, Tawny, Meadow, Red- 

 throated, Tree, Rock, and Water varieties, together 

 with White, Grey, and Yellow Wagtails. 



The Golden Oriole visits the islands regularly 

 in spring. This most beautiful bird is exceedingly 

 fond of the fruit of the Nespoli or Japanese 

 medlar. The Blackbird, Great Titmouse, Ring Ouzel, 

 Song, and Missel Thrushes swell our list of birds 

 at the spring and autumn migrations. A few Fieldfares 

 are caught every year in January, and the 

 Redwing appears at irregular intervals. The Rock 

 Thrush pays us a flying visit twice yearly, and 

 next to the Nightingale the indigenous Blue Solitary 

 Thrush is prized for its song. It is remarkable 

 for its attachment to the locality in which it has 



